20,000 women migrated for work abroad last year

Nearly 20,000 female workers migrated legally to work overseas in 2017, the Minister of Women’s Affairs said yesterday during an annual meeting.

The meeting, which looked over 2017 achievements and planned for 2018 with the Cambodian National Council for Women, was led by Minister Ing Kantha Phavi, who is also the head of the CNCW.

Ms Kantha Phavi said that 18,097 female migrant workers left to work in Thailand, Japan and Singapore in 2017.

She added that 1,631 female workers also migrated to South Korea for work in agriculture, construction and fisheries in 2017.

“Recruitment agencies need to equip workers with basic skills prior to their departure, including traditional customs and relevant laws of the receiving country, and prepare legal documents for them to have in hand before they arrive,” she said.

She added that recruitment companies should also provide thorough orientation to workers on basic legal requirements before their departure.

At the meeting, she also mentioned that Cambodian women still faced some problems such as discrimination in society and domestic violence.

She noted that from 2015 to 2017, the CNCW delivered legal support on 223 cases of violence against women and girls, including 63 cases last year that included many instances of juvenile victims, and rape and domestic violence cases.

Prime Minister Hun Sen said on Facebook yesterday that he decided to increase the budget from $50,000 to $125,000 to aid female victims of abuse.

Mr Hun Sen added he would be creating a centre to aid victims as well.

Civil society organisations on Sunday asked the government to strengthen legal measures against perpetrators of violence against women and children while holding a seminar on the issue.

The 6th Annual Tiger Street Football Festival 2018 continues this Sunday in Poipet city in what promises to be another dazzling display of intense futsal action and a fun superstar after-games party with performers and DJs.